Machine for reducing axle housing blanks



June 12,- 1934. SPATTA 1,962,944

MACHINE FOR REDUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS Filed Jan. 6. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 WW {g} amt/z Gearge jvawu June 12, 1934. G. SPATTA 1,962,944

' MACHINE FOR REDUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS Filed Jan. 6, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2- @M @W v,

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MACHINE FOR REDUCING AXLE nousmc BLANKS Filed Jan. 6. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 12, 1934. G, SPATTA MACHINE 'FOR REDUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS Filed Jan. 6,- 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ewenzbfi" 660(96 WM/m/ June 12, 1934. SPATTA 1,962,944"

MACHINE FOR REliUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS v O i & \\\\\Q""4- 111 June 12, 1934. G, SPATTA 1,962,944

MACHINE FOR REDUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS I Filed Jan. 6. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1&6 j43 J54 nucnzbfi' eazyejaam/ Z5 M Patented June l2, 1934 MACHINE FOR REDUCING AXLE HOUSING BLANKS George Spatta, Buchanan, Mich; assignor to Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 6, 1930, Serial No. 418,827

22 Claims.

This invention relates to method of and machine for reducing the diameter of the end sections of an axle housing.

In my copending application, Serial No. 416,537,

filed December 26, 1929, (Case No. 13) I disclose a method of making banjo type housings for rear axles of automobiles, trucks, and the like, from a single piece of seamless cylindrical tubing. This method includes first slotting the tube to form a pair of oval shaped slots in its central section, whichslots have a perimeter substantially equal to the perimeter of the banjo opening in the finished housing. The method of and machine for slotting these blanks is covered in my copending application, Serial No. 417,581, filed December 30, 192% (Case No. 14) to which application reference is made for the details of this step of the process.

In my present invention, I provide a machine for and method of performing the next step in the process, viz., that of reducing the diameter of the end sections of the cylindrical blank to the diameter required in the finished housing.

The diameter of the tube used in the manufacture of axle housings of this type is determined by the amount of metal required in the critical section of the housing in accordance with and thinner walls at the points that are sub jected to lesser strain.

In carrying out the method of the instant invention, I supply a double-acting swaging machine which is equipped with conical swaging dies which are set in the machine in opposition to each other. portion and the two dies are simultaneously moved toward each other over the end section of the blank.

This method oLswaging the ends of the blank is advantageous in that it permitsthe die operating on one end of the blank to oppose the reaction set up in the blank by the pressure of the die operating on the other end of the blank, and vice versa. Under this circumstance, the clamping means which holds the blank in the machine The blank is gripped at its central serves only to absorb the differences in pressure placed upon the blank by the two dies, and in the normal operation of the machine this difference is practically negligible.

The pressures exerted upon the ends 'of the blank tend to crush it at its central portion, particularly since that portion is slotted with two slots disposed 180 degrees apart, which materially reduce its hoop strength. The pressure so placed on the ends of the blank tend to force the central sections outward and I have therefore provided a clamping means which accurately registers with the outside surface of the blank over its entire slotted portion to firmly grip it. and prevent the walls of that slotted portion from 7. bulging outward under the pressure of the die.. .This arrangement also permits operating on both ends of the blank at the same time, witha consequent reduction in the length of time required to perform the swaging operation.

In the manufacture of axle housings of the sizes most commonly used, the amount of reduction that can be made from the throat portion of the banjo to the end section of the housing is more than can be performed in a single step without imposing undue stresses upon the metal.

In the preferred embodiment of my machine, I have, therefore, provided a set of three swaging dies which are consecutively forced over the end sections of the tube to reduce its diameter in- ,three steps.

The first of these dies form the major portion of the throat of the banjo and is conical and of such size as to properly form this section of the housing; The next die is designed to continue with the cone, bringing the end sections of the blank nearer to the finished size, and the third die reduces the end section to the proper size.

These dies are all mounted as an integral unit in a block carried on the crosshead of the rams of the machine and I have provided a novel arrangement for automatically aligning the proper one of these dies with the blank in the machine,- The dies move with the rams and therefore the die shifting mechanism-must be capable of moving with the die blocks and crosshe'ads so that it will be constantly in engagement with the die blocks and capable of shifting the die blocks at any position of the ram, although in actual practice the die blocks are shifted only when the 105 ram is in or near its normal position and the dies are out of engagement with the blank. The die blocks are normally locked in the crossheads to prevent their moving with respect to the crossheads, the die shifting mechanism including an 110 arrangement for unlocking the dies to permit their being shifted.

' to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment. of the machine employed in carrying out the process is shown by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the left-hand end or the completed machine;

Figure 1A is an elevational view of the right- I hand end of the machine;

- Figure 2 is a plan view of the left-hand end of the machine;

Figure 2-A is aplan view 'of the right-hand end of the machine; V

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lefthand end of the machine taken along the line 3-3 of Figure v1, looking in the direction of the arrows; p

Figure 3--A is a similar cross-sectional view taken along the line 3A-3A of Figure 1-11;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of themachine taken along the line 4-4 of Fig'ure 2, showing the details of thev die shifting mechanism;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the machine taken along the line 55 of Figure 2-A showing the details of'the clamping mechanism; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view' taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2-A showing the details of the clamp lock mechanism;

Figure '7 is a view of the clamp'taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8- -8 of Figure 2 showing the details of the die shifting cylinder; Y

' Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8 showing the details of the die shifting rack and pinion;

Figure 10 is a cross sectionai view taken along the line 10-10 of Figure 4 showing the details of the die shifting segment;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the blank after the first step of the swaging process has been performed;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the blank after the second step of the swaging process has been perlar supports 6 and 7, mounted upon the other end of the framework. support the hydraulic cylinder 8. These cylinders are disposed centralhr of the framework and with their axes in alignment.

inder supports 3 and 6 are channel members which merely serve to support the outward ends of the cylinders 5 and 8, respectively. The supports 3 and 6 directly engage the cylinder head der-head 11. presses working at operating pressures of from'l45 As will be seen in Figures 3 and 3A, the cylof their respective cylinders. Supports 4 and '7 are shorter than supports 3 and 6 and engage side rails or tracks 9 and 10, rather than the cy1- inder heads; These tracks 9 and 10 are in turn' connected to the cylinder headsll and 12 by bolts 13 and 14, respectively. Dowelpins 15 and 16, which are inserted in the cylinder heads 11 and 12, respectively project, through openings in the track 9 to assist the bolts 13 and 14 in taking up the thrust of the cylinder when it is subjected to pressure. This pressure will tend to separate the cylinder heads 11 and 12. The tracks 9 and 10 and supports 4 and '7 are depended upon to resist this tendency of the cylinder headsto move apart.

As will be seen in Figures 3 and 3A, the cylinder heads 11 and 12 are cylindrical castings of may be of any well known construction. A ram 105.

26 is fitted into the endof the piston 24 and held therein by the threads 2'7. this ram project- ,ing through the packing block 28 in the cylinderhead 11 andtherebeyond, where it terminates in the crosshead 29. The packing block 28 may 11-? y be of any preferred type of bearing material, accurately fitted to the outside diameter of the ram 26 and made pressure tight by the packing member 30 interposed in a suitable annular groove in the member 23 and held therein by the clamping plate 31 which is held against the opposite face of the cylinder-head 11 by suitable bolts 32. Preferably, the outside suriace of the ram 26 is ground accurately to size, so that the combination of the member 23,528 and the packing member 30. will render the joint pressure,

tight.

The ram 26 is hollow, containing an opening 33 in the center of which is'a guide bar 34, which is threaded into the end of the ram by the thread- 1 ed portion 35 and held concentric therein by the bushing or washer 36. The outside diameter of the guide bar 34 is suiil'ciently small to permit it toproject f reely into the interior of the blank to be swaged in the press when that blank has been reduced to its smallest diameter.

The cylinder-heads l1 and 21 are held on opposite ends of the cylinder 5 by a plura'ity of exter-- nal bolts 37 which may be threaded into the cylinder-head 11 and projected through suitable openings in the cylinder-head 21, with the 'nut 38 threaded thereon and bearing against the outside surface of the latter cylinder-head. This type oi construction puts the walls of the cylinder 5 under compression, and the bolts, 37 are relied upon to resist the thrust put in that cyfinder when it is subjected to working pressure, which tends to separate the cylinder-head 21 from the cylin- This construction 1 preferable in 1,000 to 1,500 lbs. per square'inchalthough any other suitable arrangement capable of withstanding such working pressure may be employed in lieu thereof to hold the cylinder-heads on the cylinder 5.

Fitted within the center 'of the cylinder-head 21 is the oil inlet port 40 through which 011 is admitted to push the piston 24 to the right. Suitable connecting means 41 are employed to connect the oil pressure line from the cylinder to a pressure pump, not shown, in which the working pressure is generated.

On the working face 42 of the piston is a central bushing 43 carried by the piston and containing. a valve 44 which engages and blocks opening ,40 when the piston is in its normal position, in which position it is shown in Figure 3. The plug 43 is provided with a port 45 communicating, through the stem of the valve 44, with the opening 40, whereby oil trapped by the working surface 42 can escape when the piston is retracted. This operation is explained more fully hereinafter.

On the free end of the ram 26 I have provided the cross-head 29 which contains a pocket into which the-end of the ram 26 is fitted. The crosshead is held on the ram by a collar 51 which fits into a groove in the ram and is held therein by set screws 52 which are threaded into the cross head. The cross-head comprises a generally rectangular block, s p orted at its opposite ends by rollers 53 and 54 which bear against the trackways 9 and 10, respectively.

The cross-head also contains a transverse groove or slot 55 which is rectangular in section and into which the die block 56 is fitted, that die block being held therein by plates 57 and 58 which are held on the cross-head by the bolts 59. The plates 57 and 58, fitting over the surfaces of the die block, grip it firmly and at the same time permit it to slide freely in the cross-head under the control of the die shifting mechanism, which will be hereinafter described.

Similarly the cylinder 8 is provided with cylinder heads 60 and 12, which are held thereon by bolts 61, the ends of the cylinders fitting into the sockets 62 in the cylinder head 60 and into the socket 63 in the sleeve 64 which isdisposed within the cylinder head 12. The piston 65 fits within the cylinder 8 and is provided with piston rings 66 and with the ram 6?, which ram is hollow and contains the guide bar 68 concentrica ly located within it. A cross-head 69, similar to the crosshead 29, is provided on the outward end of the ram 67, and held thereon by the collar,70 and the which obtains oil from the oil suction pump through the duct '76. t

On the front side of the machine are the control valves and 81, the former of which is operated to control the operation of the die shifting cylinder and the latter to control the operation of the main cylinders 5 and 6. Responsive to an operation of the valve 81, with the pistons and rams in the position shown in Figures 3 and 3A, oil is admitted to the cylinder 5 through the duct 41 and the port 40 and simultaneously oil is admitted to the cylinder 8 through the duct '76 and the port 74. The pressure of this oil exerts a pressure against the pistons located in respect to each cylinder, moving those pistons and the rams connected thereto toward the center of the which is held in the machine, to perform a swaging operation on the blank.

When the rams have been advanced to their full extent, the valve 81 is operated to admit oil through the port 82 into the space 83 between the inner wall of the cylinder 8 and the outer wall of the ram 66. This oil pressure exerts a force against the shoulder 84' on the reverse side of the piston to move the piston 65 and the ram 67 back .into the position in which it is shown in the drawings.

The oilwhich has been trapped in the end of the piston on the opposite side thereof and between the cylinder-head 60 is forced out through the port '74 and the duct 76 to be returned to the oil circulating system of the pump. Similarly and simultaneously oil is admitted to the port 86 into the space 87 between the walls of the cylinder 5 and the ram 26, exerting a pressure against the shoulder 88 of the piston 24 to move that piston and ram to its normal position in which it is shown in Figure 3. This cycle of operation is continued through repeated operationof the valve. As the rams 67 and 26 are moved to their outward position, the weight of the crossheads are carried upon their respective rollers and the tracks 9 and 10. The reaction to the oil pressure bearing against the pistons in the cylinder is counteracted by these same tracks 9 and 10 which are rigidly secured.

In the center of the machine and midway-between the cylinder-heads 11 and 12, I have provided a yoke 90 attached to the side-rails 9 and 10 and held by the pins 91 and 92 and the bolts 93 and 94, respectively. This yoke is supported by the rails 9 and 10 and is also attached to the bed plates 1 and2 by the members 95 and 96 to resist any tendency of the rails .to rise or fall due to stresses placed upon them during the operation of the machine. The yoke, being centrally located in the machine, serves as a stop for limiting the travel of the rams toward'each other, and also as a support for the blank or work which is being swaged in the machine.

The work 9'7 is supported in a clamp comprising a lower section 98 and an upper section 99, the interior surface 100 of these sections being machined to the contour and size of the exterior of the blank 9'7.

9 In the manufacture of axle housing, as pointed out in my above, mentioned copending application, Case No. 13, the blank is slotted prior to the swaging operation on it, and therefore I-have provided a pair of pins 101 fitted into the clamping block 98 and located therein so that they will engage the opposite ends of one slot in the blank 97. Similarly, the pins 102 are provided in the block 99, to engage the other slot in the blank 9'7, those pins being also spaced so that they engage the extreme ends of that slot.

To facilitate inserting and removing the blank from the clamp, I have provided a hinge member 103 which is hinged to the yoke 90 at 104, and into which the block 99 is fitted. This hinge block is provided with a flange 105 which is provided with the wedge surface 106; this flange fitting against the depressed surface 107 in the yoke 90. On the yoke 90 and adjacent this depressed surface 107 I have provided a rectangular slot 108 disposed transversely of the machine and into which the latch 109 is fitted. The latch 109 is provided with a beveled surface 110 which is adapted to engage the sloping surface 106 of the flange 105, to wedge the hinge section 103 firmly machine, thereby forcing the dies over the blank against the yoke 90. When the-latch 109 is in gaged by a pawl 115 serves to hold the latch 109 in its operative position. a

To facilitate raising the hinged portion 103 when it is necessary to remove the work 97 from the press, I have provided a pair of'coil springs 116 which are attached to the projection 118 of the yoke 90, and to the pin 118 on the hinge por tion 103, these springs 116 being tensioned "tolift the hinge section 103 above the yoke. The handle 117 is provided on the hinge section to facilitate 'raising and lowering it when the blank 97 is being inserted in or taken from the machine.

The blocks 99 and 98 are somewhat longer than the width of the yoke 90 and the hinged member 103, this extension being formed in the shape of a flange 119 on one end of the blocks and 120 on the other end of the blocks. .These flanges accurately locate the blocks and the yoke and hinge member; and serve as abutments against which the face of the die is pressed when the rams are in their completely operated positions. Under these circumstances the blocks 98 and 99 are securelyheld in the yoke and the yoke in turn accurately held in the machine by the pins 91 and 92. I

In the event that one of the rams engages its die against the flange 119 or'120 of the block prior to the engagement of the other die thereagainst, the stresses placed on the yoke by the pressure of the ram are resisted by .the pins 91 and 92 whichkey the yoke into the rails 9 and 10, thereby bringing the leading ram to rest and preventing it from traveling beyond the point at which it is to be stopped. 1

As will be best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the dieblock'56 contains threedies, 125, 126 and 127, which are of progressively'smaller internal diameter, .and whichare progressively-forced over the work to reduce it to'the proper size. The die 125 is fittedintoa suitable opening in the die block, and rests againsta shoulder at the end of the block, being held in place by the plate 130 which is bolted to the die block 58 by the bolts 131. The opening 128 into which the die 125 fits is accurately machined to conform to the outside dimension of that die. so that when the bolts 131 are pulled tight to bring the plate 130 against the outer end of the die, it is securely held in the block between the plate 130 and the shoul- -der 129. Similarly, the die 126 is fitted in the opening 132 and against the shoulder 133 and isheld therein by the plate 134 which in turn is bolted on to the die block 56 by-the bolts 135 to firmly clamp the die in place. The die 127 is likewise fitted into an opening 138. However, this die does not fit against a shoulder, but rathor only against the cross-head 29. Theplate 139 holds the die 127 in place, that plate being bolted to the die block 56 by the bolts 140. I It will be noted that the die 125 is formed with a frusto conical interior which, when the die is forced over the end section of the blank, reduces the diameter of that blank. When-the die'comes to rest the portion of the blank under it is formed asa frustum ,of a cone.

The die 126 is similarly constructed, the large end of the frusto conical section of thedie 126 and 146 of being the same as the large end of the die 125. The die 126 is longer and the small end of it is of smaller diameter than the small end of the die 125. When this die is forced over the work, it further reduces the diameter of the end portion, and comes to rest against the frusto conical section formed in' the work by the operation of the die 125. Q

The die 127 carries the taper of the frusto conical section further, so that the end section of the work is still further reduced in diameter, and the frusto conical taper is completed to join this small diameter end section to the larger diameter" central section of the blank.

The dies in the cross-head 69 of the other end of the machine, shown in Figure 3.A, are similarly constructed and need not be explained in detail herein. The wearing dies 125, 126 and 127 are preferably made of tool steel and hardened sufficiently to prevent excessive wear.

The die block 56 is shifted laterally of the machine and longitudinally in the slot 55 in they cross-head by a lever 141 which is connected to. the end of the die block at the back side of the machine. v

.-As will be seen in Figure 4, this lever 141 is connected to a bell crank 142 which is pivoted to rotate about a shaft 143. The opposite end of this crank 144 is fitted between the pistons 145 As will be seen in Figure 2 taken in conjunction with Figure 4', the shaft 143 is disposed at the back end of the machine and runs parallel pocket in thecross-head 29 by a spring 151, that pin projecting into a suitable socket 152 in the die block. A lever 153' is connected to the upper end of this pin 150 and pivoted at 154 to a bracket 155 also carried on the cross-head 29. The free end of this lever 153 is provided with a roller 156' which normally rests in the depression 156 in the cam 157 which is formed as an integral part of the segment 147.

When it is desired to shift the die block from one position to another, the shaft 143 is rotated by a means which will be. hereinafter described, that rotation causing the segment 147 to rotate also, since that segment is keyed to the shaft by the pin 149 projecting into the slot 148.

Since the die block 56 is locked, the bell crank 142 cannot be operated to move it and as the segment 1471s rotated. the piston 145, for example,

is niovedagainst the tension of its spring 158. This permits the segment 147 to rotate sumciently to move .the roller'156' out of the depression 156 in the cam 157 onto the high part of the cam, inwhich position the lever 153 is rotated and as soon as another socket 159 is reached, this v cylinders mounted on the segment 105- pin drops therein, bringing the die block in the proper position to position another die opposite the blank in the machine. The shaft moving. de-

vice is so adjusted that the shaft is brought to rest at the time that the pin 150 drops into the new socket, 159 for example, and the die shifting operation is thereby completed.

When it. is desired to shift the die block in the opposite direction, the shaft 143 is rotated in a reverse direction and the segment 147 thereby rotated, the bell crank 142 compressing the spring 161 to permit rotation of the segment 147 prior to the unlocking of the-die block.

The cam 157 operates the lever 153 as before to unlock the die block, which is then shifted in the opposite direction by the combined action of the segment 147 and the spring 161. The pin 150 drops into the socket 160 in the die block to end the transverse movement of that block in the cross-head and to bring it to rest in position with another die in registration with the blank in the machine.

Since there are two die blocks on the machine, one at each cross-head, the segment 147, bell crank 142, ratchet lever 153, and other parts employed in the shifting of the block 59 are duplicated on the opposite end of the machine on the same shaft 143 to simultaneously shift the die block 74.

' The die blocks move with the cross-head and it is therefore desirable that provision be made to move the die shifting mechanism so that the die blocks may be shifted at any position of the cross-head, although in practice the shifting operation occurs only when the die blocks are in their normal position, that is, at the extreme limit of their travel outwardly from the center of the machine. a

To permit the die shifting mechanism to follow the blocks, I have provided a carrying-bracket 162, Figure 4, upon which the block lever 153 is pivoted at 154 and upon whichthe guide rod 164 and the guide rod 165 are mounted. These guide rods are provided with forked ends 166 which bear against the ends of the segment 147 and the shifting lever 1.42, respectively, at points adjacent to the shaft 143. The guide rods 164 and 165 are moved longitudinally of the machine by movement of the cross-head and move the die shifting mechanism on the shaft 143so that it is always in proper alignment to shift the-dies at any time. The slot 148, into which the key 149 in the segment 147 is projected, runs longitudinally of the shaft 143 for a sufllcient distance to permit movement of the segment without binding, and at the same time keeping the segment keyed to the shaft.

In Figure 8 I have shown a cross-sectional view of the press taken along the line 8--8 of, Figure 2 and showing the details of the preferred form of die-shifting mechanism. This mechanism comprises a cylinder 170 mounted upon feet 171 and 172 which are cast as an integral part of the cylinder-head 11. The cylinder 170 is, in reality,

two cylinders serially connected. The first cylinder 173 is provided with a piston 174', which projects through the cylinder-head 175 which separates the cylinder 173 from the cylinder 176. This piston rod 177 bears against the piston 178 which is disposed in the cyl nder 176.

The opposite end of the cylinder 173 is closed by a cylinder-head 179 through which the entrance port 180 is projected. This cylinder-head is held on the cylinder by bolts 181, or in any other preferred manner.

The cylinder-head 175 is provided'with an entrance port 182 which leads into the cylinder 173 on the opposite side of the piston 174.

The piston 178 projects through the cylinderhead 183 which closes the opposite end of the cylinder 176. The piston is provided with a piston rod 184, on the outward end of which is the rack 185, through the operation of which the shaft 143 is rotated.

The rack 185 engages the teeth of the pinion 186, which pinion is keyed to the shaft 143 by the key'187.

As will be seen in Figures 8 and 9, a. bracket 188 projects outward and upward from the cylinderhead 11 and terminates in a bearing 189 in which the end of the shaft 143 is supported by the ball bearing 190. A cover plate 191, held on the bearing 189 by the screws 192, permits-the ball bearing 190 to be packed in oil to insure free running of the shaft 143.

A bracket 193 projects upward from the bearing 189 and forms a support for the shaft 194 upon which the roller 195 is mounted, this shaftbeing held in the support 193 by the set screw 196.

The roller 195 bears down on the rack 185 to keep its teeth meshed with the teeth of the pinion 186, so that thepinionand shaft143'are rotated by a longitudinal movement of the rack 185 responsive to an operation of the pistons 174 and 178. I

In the operation of this die shifting mechanism, with the die bl0ck56 in its'extreme position, that is, with the die 125 in registration with the work in the press, the pistons 178 and 174 through the port 180 into the cylinder 173. This moves the piston 174 into the position in which it is shown in Figure 8. Through the pressure of the piston rod 177 bearing on the end of the piston 178, thislatter piston and the piston rod 184 and'the rack 185 carried thereby are moved to the right to rotate the shaft 143 in a clockwise direction a definite amount. The dies are thus shifted to bring central die 126into engagement with the blank in the machine.

After this die has performed its operation upon the blank, and it is desired to further shift the dies, the control lever 80 isoperated to cause the pressure of the oil pump of the machine, not shown, to force oil through the port 197 into the cylinder 176 behind the piston 178. This forces the piston 178 to the right, against the cylinderhead 183. The shaft 143 is thereby rotated in a clockwise direction, to bring the die 127 into it is shown in Figure 8 it engages the piston rod 177 and, during the remainder of its travel to the left it moves the piston 174 back into its normal position. This continues the rotation of the shaft 143 in a counter-clockwise direction to bring the die block back to the original position, that is, with the die 125 in registration with the blank in the machine. I

6 Thus it will be seen that by this arrangement I have provided a simple and effective die shift-' mal position in which the first die block is in registration with the work. Obviously, if the case demands, .the cylinder of the die, shifting mechanism can be further compounded so that additional forward steps can be included so that a die block of four or flve dies-can be shifted in substantially the same manner.

In the operation of themachine shown in the drawingsand described in the foregoing, the slotted tubular blanks prepared in accordance with the teachings of my copending application, Case' No. 14, are placed in. the clamping members 98 and 99 in the yoke of the machine, with the pins 101 and 102 in registration with the slots in the tube. The hinged member is clamped in its closed position by an upward movement of the lever 111, which pushes the wedge block 109 over. the sloping surface 106 of the flange of this hinge block, to cause the surfaces 1000f the clamping block to firmly grip the outside surface of the tube. 85 Since the surfaces 100 are accurately machined to the size of the tube, this gripping is 'eflective to reenforce the hoop strength of the blank, which strength has been weakened by 'the formation of the slot.

The lever 80 is operated to bring the die 125 into registration with the blanks, and the lever 81 then operated to'caus'e the cylinders 5 and 8 to be subjected to pressure of the oil pumps of the press, not shown, to thereby cause the respective rams to advance the dies over the end of the blanks simultaneously.

Die 125 is identical in every respect with its companion die carried by the cross-head 69, and with the pressure in the cylinders 5 and 8-equal- 50 ized, the pressure placed on the blank from the left-hand end is exactly equal to and opposite to the pressure placed on the blank at its righthand end. Should there be any difference in these two pressures, the gripping of the, blank 55 by the blocks 99 and 98 and the pins 101 and 102 resting in the ends of the slots in the blank will resist this difference in pressure and'hold the blank securely in position in the center of the machine.

The rams advance until the die block holding plate 130 is forced against the flange 119 on the clamping blocks 98 and 99,this engagement limiting the movement of the ram inward toward the center of the machine.

The ram operated by the cylinder 8 is likewise'advanced until the die clamping plate which holds this companion die in place engages the flange 120 of the clamping blocks 98 and 99. This definitely limits the inward travel of this ram and die. By this operation, the cylindrical blank, Figure 11, which was originally the'diameter of the central section 200, is reduced by forming a conical taper 201 and the end section 202 which is of substantially smaller diameter. On the opposite end of the central portion the conical section 203 is formed and the end section formed to the smaller diameter 204. V

The pressure in the cylinders 5 and 8 is then reversed by an operation of the lever 81 and these cylinders withdraw the rams from the work. In the embodiment of the machine shown in the drawings, the cylinders force the rams inward toward the center of the machine at a rate 'of about 175 inches per minute and withdraw the rams from the center of the machine at a speed of approximately 470 inches per minute so that no time is lost in'withdrawing the dies from the completed'work When the rams have been withdrawn to their full extent, the die shifting'lever is operated to energize the cylinder 173 and piston 174 to move the die one step to bring the die 126 and its companion die into registration with the work. a

The lever 81- is again operated to advance the ram toward the center "of the machine, and the die,126 and its companion die thereby forced over the blank to again reduce its diameter.

The rams are again operated until the die plate. 134 and the companion die plate of the other cross-head abut against the ends of the clamping blocks 98 and 99, at which time the die 126 and its companion die will have reshaped the blank so that the frusto conical section 205 is longer than its pre ecessor 201 and the end section 206 is smaller in diameter than its predecessor 202. vThe reduction in the diameter of the end section 206 thickens the walls of that section and lengthens it somewhat. Simultaneously the frusto conical section 207 has been formedout of its predecessor 203 and the other end section 208 has been reduced in diameter, lengthened and its walls thickened a corresponding amount. i

' The lever 81 is then operated in a reverse direction to withdraw the ram, and when this withdrawal is complete the lever 80 is operated to again shift the die to bring the .die 127 and its companion die into registration with the blank in the machine.

The lever 81 is then again operated to advance the ram toward the center of the machine, forcing the finishing dies over. the blank, the rams end section 212 likewise lengthened and reduced in diameter.

This completes the formation of the blank 213 which is shown in Figure 13, and the lever 81 is reoperated to withdraw the dies from the blanks and the lever 80' operated-to shift the dies.

sistance of the coil spring 116 to unclamp the work and permit its removal from the machine.

The process is repeated in the foregoing manner for each blank that is swaged in the machine. It will be noted that the hollow ram 26, Figure 3, has an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter 202 of the blank during the first step of the forming process, so that that blank bears against the inside surface of the ram after it has passed through the die and is thereby maintained straight and free from curl.

During the second stage of the operation of the machine, that is, when the end section 206 is being formed, that section, after it passes through the die, moves freely between the inside ,surface of the ram 26 and the outside surface of the guide bar 34.

During the third and last operation of .the die, when the end section 210 is being formed, that section is guided over the guide bar 34 whose outside diameter is sufficient to just permit it to freely fit within the end section 210. This threading of the section over the guide bar maintains the end section 210 straight and free ram performs a similar function on the end section 212 so that the completed blank 213 comprises a cylindrical central section having two slots 218 located 180 degrees apart, that section being joined by frusto conical sections 209 and 211 to the smaller diameter end sections, 210 and 212, all of which sections are straight, perfectly round, and equal in every respect to their companion sections on the opposite end of the blank. I

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of a machine for carrying out the method of swaging blanks to form the blank 213, I am aware that there are many modifications and adaptations which can be made by one skilled in the art within the teachings of the invention.

The method may also be altered by the addition of or elimination of certain steps to meet the particular conditions, and I am not therefore to be limited to the specific details of the machine disclosed nor to the specific details of the method of operating the machine.

Having thus complied with the statutes and shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I consider new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is pointed out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a double acting swaging machine, the combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains'a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams,

which rams are movable longitudinally. to bring said die blocks adjacent the center of the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, means for rotating said shaft, and means movable with the rams and sliding on the shaft and controlled thereby for unlocking said locking means and for moving said die blocks in the crosshead.

2. In a double acting swaging machine, the

"combination with a pair of rams each having a The guide bar 68 in the opposite a crosshead to different positions for the different die blocks adjacent the center of the machine,

of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said-machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, means for actuating said shaft in steps, and means movable with the rams and parallel to the shaft and controlled thereby for unlocking said locking meansand for moving said die b ocks in the crosshead and locking the die blocks at the end of each step of movement of the shaft.

4. In a double acting swaging machine, the combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable'in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams, which rams are movable longitudinally to bring said die blocks adjacent the center of the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, and means contro led by the shaft for unlocking said .dies and moving them in the crosshead with each step of rotation of the shaft.

5'. In a double acting swaging machine, the combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams, which rams are movable longitudinally to bring said die blocks adjacent. the center of .the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a

pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, 9. segment keyedto said shaft but movable longitudinally therealong, andmeans controlled by a ro-' tation of said shaft and segment for unlocking and moving one of said dies in its crosshead.

6. In a double acting swaging machine, the combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axes of the rams,

which rams are movable longitudinally to bring said die blocks adjacent the center of the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston-connected to said pinion by -a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair of segments keyed tosaid shaft but movable longitudinally therealong, and

die blocks adjacent the center of the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine v disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a'hydraulic piston connected to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair of segments keyed to said shaft'but movable longitudinally therealong, cams on said segments, levers actuated by said cams to un-' lock said dies, and other levers moved by said segment after said dies are unlocked for moving machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected'to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in-two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair of segments keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally therealong, cams on said segments, levers actuated by said cams to unlock said dies, and other levers flexibly connected to said segments and moved thereby after said dies are unlocked fo moving them in said crosshead.

9. In a double acting swaging machine,'the

combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams, which rams are movable longitudinally to bring said die blocks adjacent the center of the machine,

of means .for locking said die blocks against movement-in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected to saidpinion by-a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair ofsegments keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally therealong,

cams on said segments, levers actuated 'by said cams to unlock said dies, and other levers connected to said segments by springs and moved thereby after said dies are unlocked for moving them in said crosshead.

10. In a double acting swaging machine, the combination with a pair of rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams,

- which rams are movable longitudinally to bring said die blocks adjacent the center of the machine, of means for locking said die blocks against movement in the crosshead, a shaft on said machine disposed with its axis parallel to the axes of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair of segments keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally therealong,

cams on said segments, levers actuated by said cams to unlock said dies, and other levers pivotally mounted on said shaft and slidable longitu'dinally thereof and connected to said segments by springs and rotated thereby after said dies are unlocked for moving them in said crosshead.

combination with a pairof rams each having a crosshead disposed on its free end which contains a die block that is slidable in the crosshead and at right angles to the axis of the rams,

'of said rams, a pinion on said shaft, a hydraulic piston connected to said pinion by a rack said piston being operable in two forward steps to rotate said shaft, a pair of segments keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally therealong ":a cam and a pair of spring controlled pistons on each segment, a lever pivotally mounted on each of said crossheads and engaging one of said cams to be operated therebyto unlock the die disposed in that crosshead, and ,a pair of bell crank levers pivotally mounted on said shaft each having one of its ends connected to a die and the other end disposed between said spring pistons to be operated in the crosshead. I 12. In a swaging machine, the combination with a ram which is movable longitudinally and which carries a crosshead on its free end in which crosshead is a die block containing a plurality of swaging dies, a yoke for holding the blank that is to be swaged and means for operating said ram, of a, locking means for locking the die block in the crosshead, a shaft'disposed on the machine parallel to the ram, means for rotating said shaft in a plurality of forward steps corresponding in number to the number of dies thereby to move the die insaid block, a segment on said 'shaft keyed against rotation with respect to it but slidable along it, a cam on said segment, a lever connected tosaid locking means an operated by said cam to unlock the die block, and a die block shifting lever pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft and connected to said segment by a flexible connection which permits the segment to -be rotated sufficiently to operate the locking lever before the shifting lever is moved 1 to shift the die block.

13. In a swaging machine, the combination with a ram which is movable longitudinally and which carries a crosshead on its free end in which crosshead is a die block containing a plurality of 'swaging dies, a yoke for holding the blank thatis to be swaged and means for oping means and operated'by said cam to unlock the die block, and a die block shifting lever pivotally and 'slidably mounted on said shaft and connected to said segment by a flexible connection which permits the segment to be rotated sufficiently to operate the locking lever before the shifting lever is moved to shift the die block;

14; In a swaging machine, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston movable therein,.a hollow cylinder ram connected to and moved by said piston, a die fitted oppositethe open end of the ram and moved by the ram, means for holding a blank in said diet while the die is moved lengthwise over it, and a 11. In a double acting swaging machine,- the, tongue fitted in said ram concentrically of the die and adapted to fit inside of that portion of the blank over which the die has passed to keep it straight.

15. In a swaging machine, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston movable therein, a hollow cylinder ram connected to and 'mdved by said piston, a die fitted opposite the open end of the ram and moved by the ram, means for holding a blank in said die while 'the die is moved lengthwise over it, and a tongue attached to the piston end of the ram and disposed concentrically of the die and adapted to fit inside of that portion of the blank over which the die has passed to keep it straight.

16. In a swaging machine, a hydraulic cylinder, 2. piston movable therein, a hollow cylinder ram connected to and moved by said piston, a die fitted opposite to open end of the ram and moved by the ram, means for-holding a cylindrical blank in said die while the die is moved lengthwise over it, and a cylindrical tongue fitted in said ram concentrically of the die and adapted to fit inside of that portion of the blank over which the die has passed to keep it straight.

1'7. In a swaging machine, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston movable therein, a hollow cylinder ram connected 'to and moved by said piston, a crosshead fitted in the open end of the ram, a die fitted in the crosshead opposite theopen 'end of the ram, means for holding a blank in said die while the die is moved lengthwise over it, and a tongue fitted in said ram concentrically of the die and adapted to fit inside of that portion of the blank over which the die has passed to keep it straight.

18. A machine including a plurality of dies for successive working operations, a die shifting device comprising means for moving the dies, means for locking the dies in any one of a plurality of positions, an actuator operable to release the locking means, spring means normally operated by the actuator while the dies are still locked, said spring means shifting the dies upon release of the dies by the locking means, and cam means for restoring the locking means upon predetermined movement of the dies.

19. A machine including a work holder, a plurality of dies for performing successive working operations upon work held in the holder, shifting means for producing a relative movement between the work holder and the dies for bringing about alignment between the work holder and the respective dies for successive working operations,

locking means for locking the shifted .parts in predetermined positions, an operating member for the locking means, a spring member normally actuated by the operating member while the dies are still locked, and means operated by the spring member upon release of the locking means for producing the relative shifting movement between the dies and the work holder. I

20. A machine including a work holder, a plurality of dies for performing successive working operations upon work held in the holder, shifting means for producing a relative movement between the work holder-and the dies for bringing about alignment between the work holder and the respective dies for the successive working operations,

means for locking the shifted parts in predetermined positions, yielding means for operating the shifting means, and an operating member for energizing the yielding means while the dies are still locked and then releasing the locking means, whereby upon release of the locking means the yielding means operates the shifting mechanism independently ofthe operating member.

21. A double acting press for simultaneously pressing both ends of a tubular member, a work holder for gripping the center of the work, a pair of dies, means for simultaneously advancing both dies towards one another to perform the working operation, whereby the work holder is relieved of stress incident to the working operation, and means for relieving the intermediate portion of the member being worked upon of some of the stress incident to the working operation of the' dies, to prevent collapse of said intermediate portion.

pressing both ends of a tubular member, .a work holder for gripping the center of the work, a pair of dies, means for simultaneously advancing both dies towards one another to perform .the working I operation, whereby the work holder is relieved of stress incident to the working operation, and

22. A double acting press for simultaneously means for relieving the intermediate portion of the 

